Grow Your Own Unicorn: Days 2-10

Grow Your Own Unicorn: Day 1

Best Friend

"And every day, I waited for you

And every day, on the top of your car"

Pretty patterns in the same old dream

"Trap the mouse before you change your mind"

 

It was a dark and foggy night

On Hiatus

Remember when I wrote "updates coming soon" (see previous post)? Well, I lied. Scratch that, no fibbing was involved. The intent was there, I just happened to get extremely sick and couldn't do anything for the life of me other than sleep, read and watch excessive amounts of trashy television.

[Note: Last activity not recommended. Trashy television in moderation, my friends.]

At least the view outside my window was nice: 

But fear not, dear users of the interweb, my health has improved and my itch to write has returned like a sleazy, overused simile. Yet before I can even begin to compensate for lost blogging time, I have a plethora of catching up to do offline.

That's right, As of Late is officially on hiatus.

It's not you, it's me.

I promise.


P.S. Happy Halloween. Save some treats for me, will you? I've had enough of life's tricks for a while. 
 

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 25

"Barely awake, but I still got my stripes"

I can't stop listening to Tokyo Police Club's album "Champ." It's full of witty tunes that are extremely catchy without being annoying. Ear candy indeed.

Updates coming soon! Thanks for sticking around. 

Night by Night

Me: I'll have a vodka seven, please.
Bartender: Sorry, we don't have any 7 Up... is Sprite ok?
Me: Yeah, sure...
Bartender: [Pulls out a 355 ml can of President's Choice Spritz Up and mixes drink.] That'll be $4.75, please. 

I only frequent the classiest of joints.

My bed's too big for just me

As the sweet, sweaty days of summer begin drawing to a close, I find myself veering away from the blogosphere and gravitating towards 'the real world' in search of last-minute adventures, much-needed reunions and many a sleepless night. Yet while my days remain busy and my nights stay satisfyingly hazy, I must confess that I have been completely lacking in the concert-going department as of late. 

Luckily enough, in a delightful twist of fate, indie rockers Ra Ra Riot put on a free show at the Mod Club in Toronto last night and I was able to attend.

The music sounded effortlessly smooth, the lighting changes were quite impressive and the crowd was thick but attentive, making for an overall pleasant transition back into the concert scene. 

Ra Ra Riot's sound is quite melodic and romantic as the six-piece has both a cellist and violinist to their name. Sometimes upbeat and sometimes melancholic, Ra Ra Riot's music makes me want to dance and reach for tissues at the same time.

I especially enjoyed the hypnotic bass line on their latest single "Boy" (from their newly released album The Orchard), although I'm still partial to their 2009 single "Can You Tell": 

"My bed's too big for just me"

Farewell, August.

East Coast Love

Thought I'd share a few pics from my trip to Halifax (and surrounding area) last weekend — enjoy!

Martinique Beach
 

Citadel Hill

Maritime Museum 


Halifax Harbour 

Natal Day fireworks

Happy belated birthday, Halifax! Cheers.

A Salute to Summer

There's nothing more refreshing than escaping the city for a weekend — especially when it involves a cottage, a sandy beach, good reads, great eats and the company of hilarious friends.

Before I blow the cheese factor through the roof, I just want to remind you that it's summertime. Even if you can't get away for a weekend, take your lunch outside, go for a walk, throw a frisbee around...you know the drill.

Go ahead and unplug. I dare you.

"To go away on a summer's day 

never seemed so clear"

Let's make August a good one.

Inside and out

Untitled (Opium Den) by Rosson Crow

Sous-Entendu
by Anne Stevenson

Don't think

that I don't know
that as you talk to me
the hand of your mind
is inconspicuously
taking off my stocking,
moving in resourceful blindness
up my thigh.

Don't think
that I don't know
that you know
everything I say
is a garment.

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 24

I have a confession to make: I've been listening to a certain blond pop star as of late — although not the one you might expect. Sure, this lady is a style icon and a successful dance hit generator, but her stage name doesn't rhyme with 'rah-rah.' It does rhyme with 'dobbin,' however.

I'm talking about Swedish songstress Robyn.

Yes, the same singer of the '90s pop hit — and personal favourite at awkward grade school dances — "Show Me Love":

She's come a long way, baby.

Although her haircut and candy-coated voice largely remain intact, Robyn's music — since she founded her own record label Konichiwa Records in 2005 — has evolved from sweet and simple pop tunes to much more cheeky and edgy electropop sounds. Sure, her songs are still formulaic, but she packs in just enough sass and crass that you won't feel like you're listening to your bubblegum-pop-loving tween sister's albums. Nevertheless, you and your sis will both feel inclined to "dance like no one's watching" (her quote of choice, of course).

There's something particularly enjoyable about her combination of playful, almost child-like vocals with brash and humorous, yet heartfelt, sentiments. Robyn is not afraid to be vulnerable or wear her heart on her sleeve, but she'll crank up the bass, synths and quirky lyrics just to make sure you're listening...and dancing. 

As the first of her three-album Body Talk series, Robyn's latest disc Body Talk Pt. 1 wittily plays out like a dance party for single ladies who just want to...well, dance.

Body Talk Pt. 2 is set for a September release.

Here's the first single off of Body Talk Pt. 1 — "Dancing On My Own":

I'm in the corner

Watching you kiss her

I'm right over here

Why can't you see me?

I'm giving it my all

But I'm not the girl you're taking home

I keep dancing on my own

Story of my life, girl. Keep on dancing, my friends.

Movie Mondays?

Comic by Toothpaste for Dinner

One of my countless international superfans (a.k.a. my sister's friend in Japan) has requested that I write more movie reviews on my blog.

Unfortunately, I have not seen any new movies as of late, nor are there any films currently in theatres that particularly tickle my fancy.

Any suggestions?

The most recent film I saw was Sex and the City 2. For what it's worth, here's my 5-second movie review:

"It wasn't the best I ever had, but I don't regret it. Cheap thrills."

 Moving on.

The remainder of this blog post was inspired by chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, proving that gluttony can be productive:

Staring at the quickly-melting gallon scoop of ice cream in my bowl one hot summer's night, I noticed two horrified chocolate chip eyes and one gaping cookie dough mouth staring right back at me.  

What is my ice cream trying to tell me?, I thought to myself. What is it trying to say?

And so, like any other sensible human being, I gave my ice cream a voice.

I may scream, you may scream and/or we all may scream for ice cream, but the only thing this bowl of dessert was shrieking was, "I'm melting! Melting!" à la the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz.

And so, like any other rational-minded person, I thought to myself, If other inanimate objects could talk using only movie quotes, what would they say?

Et voilà:

If  ______ could talk, it would say... 

My computer monitor:
"Wipe that face off your head, bitch."
- Darla Marks (Parker Posey), Dazed and Confused 

My radio:
"Turn up the good, turn down the suck!"
- Dean Murdoch (Paul Spence), FUBAR

A glow stick:
"E.T. phone home."
- E.T., E.T.

A toilet:
"The horror...the horror..."
- Kurtz (Marlon Brando), Apocalypse Now

The CN Tower:
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner."
- Johnny Castle (Patrick Swazye), Dirty Dancing

The moon:
"Chlorophyll? More like BOREophyll."
- Billy Madison (Adam Sandler), Billy Madison

Hair gel: 
"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."
- Richard Castellano (Peter Clemenza), The Godfather

Corn:
"I'll be back."
- The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), The Terminator


Did I just write all of that? I'll get better soon, I promise.

Your turn.

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 23

One new album I've been listening to as of late is When You Left The Fire by Toronto folk five-piece The Wilderness of Manitoba. Although not your typical "blast with the top down" summertime release, the CD has an eerie yet charming sound to it, reminiscent of a cross between Fleet Foxes and Great Lake Swimmers.

As its title hints, When You Left The Fire is ablaze with fire imagery. Fittingly enough, the album could perhaps best be enjoyed around a late-night campfire — after the crowd has thinned, the conversation has died down and only your closest friends remain.

Update: I recently reviewed When You Left The Fire for !earshot online. Click to read my CD review.

Over and out.

Canada: A lot to love

My name is Hilary and I am proud to be Canadian. I love Canadian autumns, eating poutine and Nanaimo bars, picking apples, reading Douglas Coupland, watching lightning strike the CN Tower, shopping in Kensington Market, hiking the Bruce Trail, Terry Fox, George Stroumboulopoulos, Rick Mercer, the CBC, the CNE ...the list goes on. 

And, oh yeah, I love Canadian music: Arcade Fire, Bedouin Soundclash, Born Ruffians, Broken Social Scene, City and Colour, Crystal Castles, Great Lake Swimmers, Japandroids, Joel Plaskett, Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, Stars, Still Life Still, Sunset Rubdown, Thunderheist, The Tragically Hip, The Wilderness of Manitoba, Wolf Parade, The Wooden Sky...again, the list is endless. 

But what do YOU love about Canada? What really tickles your Timbits? What gets you out of your igloo in the morning? What puts the "eh" in your day?  

I asked my friends and family to share what they love most about Canada and their response was overwhelming. Here's what they said: 

 Terry Fox Monument 

Thunder Bay, Ontario (June 2008)

1. The people: Dan Aykroyd, David Suzuki, Douglas Coupland, George Stroumboulopoulos, Jian Ghomeshi, Jim Carrey, John Candy, Joni Mitchell, Margaret Atwood, Mike Myers, Neil Young, Peter Mansbridge, Rick Mercer, Stuart McLean, Terry Fox, Wayne Gretzky

In their own words:

• "The laid-back, easy-going folks."  
• "We are polite. We are friendly. We are humble. We are self-deprecating. We are unobtrusive. We are modest. We say 'sorry.' And then we apologize when people tell us to stop saying sorry all the time."

Labour Day weekend 

Grand Bend, Ontario (September 2007)

2. The great outdoors: The Arctic, beaches, bears, beavers, the Bruce Trail, camping, canoeing, fishing, forests, fruit picking, hiking, hockey, lake swimming, moose, the northern lights, open spaces, the Rockies, skating, skiing, the Sleeping Giant, snow shoveling, snowshoeing, the wilderness

In their own words:

• "Being able to have four distinct seasons."
• "The feeling of wide open space and wilderness. When you drive around Europe you come across a town every 10 or 15 minutes. I love that you can drive, or even better, paddle, for hours or days without any sign of human habitation in Canada."
• "Open space. Canada is a huge country with a small population. We have room to breathe. And so many small, isolated places to discover."
• "The ability to ski and bike in the same day [in B.C.]."
• "I love the fact that the actual number of lakes in Canada is unknown, but is probably over two million."

 Fresh pears and fresh corn

Grandparents' farm in Ontario (August 2007)

4. The food: Apples, asparagus, BeaverTails, beer, blueberries, butter tarts, corn, huckleberries, ketchup chips, maple syrup, Montreal smoked meat, Nanaimo bars, poutine, Saskatoon berries, Swiss Chalet, Tim Hortons

In their own words:

• "Timbits. And lots of 'em."
• "Outdoor barbecues."
• "Fresh corn on the cob in the summer."

 Snow day

London, Ontario (December 2006)

5. The arts & entertainment:  

• TV Shows: Anne of Green Gables, Degrassi, The Hour, Kids in the Hall, My Secret Identity, Ready or Not, Rick Mercer Report, SCTV, Trailer Park Boys
• Films: Bon Cop, Bad Cop, The Corporation, C.R.A.Z.Y., FUBAR, It's All Gone Pete Tong, J'ai tué ma mère, Men with Brooms, One Week

 Shannon Falls

Squamish, British Columbia (November 2009)

6. Miscellaneous: the Canadian flag, diversity, multiculturalism, saying "eh", Toronto neigbhourhoods, Toonies

In their own words:

• "The word 'toque' and the fact that all Canadians use it, and no other country seems to."
• "Canadian women."
• "Ottawa on Canada Day."

Keep the list going and leave a comment below!

Happy Canada Day!

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 22

I have become obsessed with the song "Real Life" (Memory Tapes remix) by Tanlines ever since I came across it on MTV host Dan Levy's summer music blog for FASHION Magazine.

In the words of Mr. Levy himself:

"It’s a shiny, tropical, breezy tune that will integrate seamlessly into your summer soundtrack. So slap on the sunblock, roll up those denim cut-offs and let this little tune sing you into a summer siesta."

Now prepare to become addicted:



Don't say I didn't warn you.

NXNE Photos

Wavves

Japandroids

 PS I Love You

Yonge-Dundas Square Outdoor Mainstage

 Wavves

Watching Iggy & The Stooges

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 21

Considering there were 650 bands in town for NXNE, I only got a tiny taste of the music festival, but it was so utterly delicious that I just had to blog about it. 

The National Post article "NXNE 2010: Five things we learned at Wavves" helps sum up my Friday night at Lee's Palace (which included sets by The Happy Hollows, Wavves, PS I Love You, and my personal favourite, Japandroids), but there were a few other things worth noting that I learned at Lee's and at NXNE in general:

• People at rock concerts (myself included) like to talk a lot about sweat — how sweaty they are, how sweaty the band is, how sweaty the shirtless guy that just squeezed past is...you get the point. It's a default conversation topic, just like the weather. Yet the forecast for these occasions almost always seems to be 'humid with a 100% chance of sweat.' Think about it: Are you really at a rock concert if you or someone near you isn't sweating? You decide.

•  Musicians at NXNE like to hang out, stick around and support other musicians. The Happy Hollows played from approximately 10 to 10:45 p.m., but they must have hung around the bar area for at least two hours after. Japandroids were also hanging out long before their midnight set. And if I am not mistaken, I also spotted some members of Still Life Still and Surfer Blood at Lee's for the Wavves and Japandroids sets. Coincidentally enough, I saw Brian from Japandroids in the crowd at Yonge-Dundas Square watching the free Surfer Blood concert the next day. 

• NXNE is awesome. Enough said. 

Here are some memorable tunes from the weekend:

1. "Young Hearts Spark Fire" - Japandroids



2. "Twin Peaks" - Surfer Blood



3. "No Hope Kids" - Wavves



(Mediocre) photos coming soon!

Young hearts spark fire

 

"Some hearts bleed...our hearts sweat."

Toronto's annual North by Northeast Music Festival and Conference (a.k.a. NXNE) officially kicked off yesterday. That means hundreds of local, national and international musicians are currently performing, roaming the streets, doing interviews or maybe even appearing on MTV.

Yesterday, I went to see Vancouver garage rock duo Japandroids perform on MTV Live.

For a band that expresses so much nostalgia for youthful abandon in their music, singer/guitarist Brian King and drummer David Prowse are incredibly energetic onstage. I don't know how old these guys are, but they look damn youthful to me. You've still got time, fellas. Give me hope.

Even with lyrics like "We used to dream/Now we worry about dying" or "Give me younger us," their music is much more of a cheeky and almost celebratory reminiscence rather than a purely despondent one. They're angsty without being emo, passionate without being too serious — and they know a thing or two about bringing the noise.

Click to watch Japandroids performing on MTV Live or listen to their latest song "Younger Us" below — another tune bursting with angsty reminiscence, but in the best possible way:

Remember when we had them all on the run?

Happy NXNE everyone!

The secret garden

Summer officially rears its blazing head on the 21st, which leaves only 5 days for any last-minute spring cleaning.

And so, in the spirit of tidiness, I thought I would publish a post that I had started composing in the fall, yet never quite finished.

Et voilà:

The secret garden 
My mother is an avid, passionate gardener, yet a humble one at that. She takes great care of — and immense pleasure in — her backyard garden, but does not require, nor does she even desire, any recognition or acclaim.

I may be slightly biased when I proclaim her garden to be one of the GTA's best kept secrets, but I don't have any problem boasting on her behalf.

It's truly a lush oasis in this smoggy, congested city and I'm thankful for it.

I snapped a few photos of the garden last fall and decided to follow up with a few more in the spring. Perhaps they don't do the garden justice, but here's a little peek anyway:

Fall:

 

Even death has its charms

Spring:

Moths can be pretty too

Bonus: My attempt at a panorama (click for a larger image):

Are you ready for the summer?